Video & Race Report: Eastern States Cup DH Finals - Mountain Creek, NJ
One last run for 150% points and the Maxxis ESC Intense Cycles DH series overall on the line. Seems like a lot of pressure for the average person but Downhill racers are built differently, they live for moments like this. After running the same Finals course for a couple of years, Creek's Trail Crüe switched it up for us this year, utilizing the infamous Asylum rock garden which has seen its fair share of legendary race moments. If there's one place you can count on spectators to show up and making noise to support racers it's Mountain Creek. The fastest times of the day were set by Neko Mulally and Mazie Hayden, keep scrolling to see who took home the hardware and 2021 champions jerseys along with a boatload of swag from our sponsors.
Morning practice conditions were a bit slick due to temps in the 30's overnight.
Just a couple of hours into practice and Mauricio Estrada was already busting rims on Creek's rocky chunder.
Highs in the 60's and fruity pebbles in the hills, it's the best time of year to ride bikes.
This rock is ready to hibernate after being abused all summer.
ProBuilds Racing's Matt Driscoll is $100 richer after putting down the fastest chainless run in seeding.
Benjamin Decker dropping in for the final time in 2021. He would earn his first Kate's Kids class win, great motivation for next season.
Marcos Lira took the 50+ Masters win by over six seconds. He tied "Fast Freddy" Bassett in overall points but since he won the final race, he also took the series title.
It was great to see some of our Canadian friends be able to join us for their first US races in two years. Tristan Lemire has been busy at World Cups since we saw him last, back in action with fifth place in the Pro class this weekend.
Killington Mountain School's Gabriel Johnson continued his domination of the large and talented U15 class, earning his fourth win of the season as well as the overall.
Passing in the horns section.
“Hehe, I'm in danger.”
Julian Coy gets a warm welcome into the Asylum rock garden from his peers.
Anthony Lapedota didn't have the finish he was hoping for this weekend with eighth, but earning the Amateur 19-29 championship in your first year racing is something to be proud of.
Third place for Heath Francois, good enough to take P1 in the Amateur 30-39 series.
First in style, fifth in the race, and third in the series for Amateur 15-18 class racer Luca Catalano.
Back-to-back doubles tested some racers on practice day but most everyone got the speed down by race day.
Landing deep and; casing on the second jump.
Garrett Graham getting Halloween started early.
It's been a banner year for Cooper Pleva, seven wins after earning another this weekend as well as the Expert 19-29 overall jersey.
Consistency is what wins titles, Eli Gadbois may not have won a race this year but nine podium results don't come easy. Second place this weekend was enough to earn the Junior Expert overall.
Third place at home for Ivanna Estrada, she's got to be stoked with on that.
Abby Ronca took home the Pro ladies' white jersey with a second-place finish this weekend.
Defiant Racing's Mazie Hayden took her third Pro win of the season and finished up the series in fourth.
Pro Women: 4th - Kristin Lenart, 2nd - Abby Ronca, 1st - Mazie Hayden, 3rd - Ivanna Estrada, 5th - Katlin Parenteau
Dylan Conte was able to put down a heater when it counted, third place on the day which moved him up to second in the series.
Max Morgan was just 1.21 off the win, but held on for second place and the Pro men's overall title.
Intense Factory Racing's own Neko Mulally showed up to keep the Pro boys honest. He clocked the fastest time of the day with a 2:35.12.
Pro Men: 4th - Mauricio Estrada, 2nd - Max Morgan, 1st - Neko Mulally, 3rd - Dylan Conte, 5th - Tristan Lemire
Hardware time!
Your 2021 Maxxis ESC Intense Downhill Champions.
We present to you the fastest DH racers in the East.
Pro Women Overall: 4th - Mazie Hayden, 2nd - Kristin Lenart, 1st - Abby Ronca, 3rd - Katlin Parenteau, 5th - Ivanna Estrada
Pro Men Overall: 4th - Geoff Ulmer, 2nd - Dylan Conte, 1st - Max Morgan, 3rd - Steve Estabrook, 5th - Sean Surprenant
Signing off from Mountain Creek. Thank you to the new and old faces who came out to the races this year. Have a great winter and we'll see you in the spring!
Words and photos: Andrew Santoro
Video: Jason Scheiding
Race Results
Series Results
Easternstatescup.com
2022 MAXXIS ESC SCHEDULE coming soon!
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